"U.S. Jews have no right to criticize Israel"

[liberalpragmatist]

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/459037.html

Orthodox leader: U.S. Jews have no right to criticize Israel

By Sarah Bronson, Haaretz Correspondent

A prominent member of America's Orthodox community, who was also a Senate staff member for three decades, spoke out on Sunday night against American Jews who publicly criticize Israeli policies.

"An American who wants to take sides should make aliyah (immigrate to Israel)," said Rabbi Dr. David Luchins, a national associate vice president of the Orthodox Union (OU) and a national officer for the Jewish Council of Public Affairs. "Their kids should serve in the army. It's better for American Jews to stay out of Israeli politics."

Luchins carefully emphasized that "every Jew has the right to pray and pay for their side, whether it's Americans for Peace Now or Americans for Likud," and said he was not speaking on behalf of the organizations he serves. However, the former senior aide to Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan added that it's "devastating" for American Jews to criticize Israeli policies in front of U.S. politicians or in ads in The New York Times.

Taking a public stance against Israel is a "serious mistake," Luchins said in his speech at Jerusalem's OU Israel Center, because when American Jews write critical letters to their congressmen or protest Israeli policies, the average American does not perceive their underlying love for Israel.

"When the rallies happen in New York against the pull-out from Gush Katif," he predicted, "the headlines will say, `American Jews protest against Israeli policy,' and the average American will read: `American Jews protest Israel.'"

[brainshrub]

1. Shouldn't this be in the I/P room?

:shrug:

[KharmaTrain]

4. Yep...

When I saw it was an Orthodox Rabbi who wrote this, I said "move along"...and I'm a Conservative Jew...they don't consider me one, either!

[Caution]

2. Ridiculous

As long as the US is providing military, diplomatic and monetary aid to Israel, ALL Americans have every right in the world to criticize the manner in which the Israeli government continues to violate the basic human rights of Palestinians. Not to mention the fact that we have an obligation as moral beings to criticize both the Israelis and the Palestinians for the behavior in this matter.

[The Backlash Cometh]

3. Thank you for the article.

*

[Jacobin]

5. Israel: "Love it or Leave it?"

How very.....

[MurrayDelph]

6. I have always found it amazing

that I am never considered Jewish-enough by these
creeps, except when they are soliciting for bonds
during the High Holy Days.

MurrayDelph

[bullimiami]

7. The majority of American Jews are pretty liberal.

Liberal and democrat I think is the most typical demographic.
They have little in common with Likud and Israeli religious totalitarianism.
"Never Again" and "We Remember" includes not allowing ourselves becoming the opressors. Its an anathema to most of us.

Orthodox American Jews are a minority. I dont know their politics but I suspect they are more supportive of Israeli ultra-nationalism than the rest of us.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

8. Somebody give this man a star

So he has the right to create a signature and put this on it:

"Never Again" and "We Remember" includes not allowing ourselves becoming the opressors.

[Jack Rabbit]

9. The Rabbi is full of baloney

"When the rallies happen in New York against the pull-out from Gush Katif," he predicted, "the headlines will say, `American Jews protest against Israeli policy,' and the average American will read: `American Jews protest Israel.'"

When I protest the US occupation of Iraq, I am protesting the policy of the US government. I am not protesting America. With the possible exceptions of Ann Coulter and John Ashcroft, everybody understands that, or should.

To say that that because one is a Jew gives one no right to criticize Israel is every bit as offensive as saying that because one is a Jew one's support for Israel should be discounted as a kind of knee jerk nationalism. If Rabbi Luchins wants to state his views on the matter, that's fine. However, he has no right to presume to impose his views on anyone else based on ethnic origin or creed.

[The Magistrate]

14. It Does Seem Worth Pointing Out, My Friend

The Rabbi directs criticism specifically towards potential protests of evacuation of settlements, and seems as disturbed by ultra-nationalist critiques as those from the other camp. He cannot be said to be pressing for one side or the other, and indeed, it is hard to riddle out what his own views might be in the matter. His points that some criticism is ill-informed and unhelpful, and that criticism is often misinterperted, are valid enough. People have, of course, a perfect right to show themselves up for fools....

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"

[Djinn]

10. does this go for everyone

should Israeli's never protest decisions/actions by another country? Should all American Muslims keep silent about the Saudi regime?

and what makes him think that ALL Jews even have a "underlying love for Israel." hate to tell a Rabbi how to suck eggs but since WHEN has a love of Israel been a requirement for being Jewish?

[Classical_Liberal]

11. But they do have to support it with their money

and write letters of support for everything it does, and lobby to support it with the tax dollars of the rest of us.

[Darranar]

12. A disgusting attempt to silence dissent...

everyone has the right to criticize Israel, regardless of religion or nationality or anything else....

[bemildred]

13. Yes, and an excellent indication that dissent works.

The louder they squawk, the more you know they feel pinched.
He just admitted that letters to congressmen deflate his balloon.